highlights...

As a leader, presenter, and curator, directs several of his own ensembles including Songs Of Freedom featuring Theo Bleckmann, Alciai Olatuja & Joanna Majoko; THREE;Ulysses Owens, Jr. & Friends; and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Collective.

Has produced over thirty albums that have received critical mention and acclaim including Olivia Foschi’sPerennial, Abiah's Life as A Ballad, and On A Turquoise by Candice Hoyes

biography

Known for his versatility, discerning use of textures and complete facility on his instrument, Ulysses Owens, Jr. has been the recipient of numerous accolades over the course of his brief career, including having performed on multiple GRAMMY-Award winning recordings and being a recipient of DownBeat's Rising Star Critic's Poll for five consecutive years, and has shared the stage with a growing list of jazz’s preeminent figures including Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Kurt Elling, Nicholas Payton, Monty Alexander, Joey Alexander, Dianne Schurr, Russell Malone, Renee Fleming, Mulgrew Miller,Gregory Porter, and many others. The in-demand drummer has increasingly assumed directorial roles, having led and curated concerts and performance series at various live music venues and cultural institutions in New York such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Abyssinian Baptist Church, Museum of Modern Art, Park Avenue Armory Conservancy and Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem. Owens is also an in-demand producer and has worked on over thirty albums including Olivia Foschi’s Perennial, Abiah's Life as A Ballad, and On A Turquoise by Candice Hoyes, all of which received considerable acclaim from music critics.

Owens has released four albums as a leader, It’s Time for U, Unanimous, Onward and Upward, and his latest release entitled Falling Forward on Spice of Life Records. The project features his newest group THREE, consisting of bassist Reuben Rogers and vibraphonist Joel Ross with special guest vocalist, Vuyo Sotashe, and pianist Stephen Feifke.